Christmas is fast approaching and as usual you're facing a problem because some men are just impossible to buy for. If you have a man in your life, whether it be your dad, uncle or grandfather, who seem to have everything and you just can't stand the thought of trying to figure out once again what to buy, consider these unique Christmas gift ideas for the hard to buy for guy.

For the men who love the great outdoors, consider camping gifts. If they're new to camping, chances are they need just about everything and that leaves you with many choices. For the guy who's a seasoned camper, maybe he needs a few replacements. Campers need coolers, sleeping bags, tents, tent repair kits, portable ovens, folding chairs and much more. Ask their camping buddies what equipment you man is missing. Even a small kit made up of sun screen and bug repellant can be a great idea for the guy who's forever outdoors.

Brooklyn

Here's a real unique gift for a baseball loving Dad. A Ballpark Pen made of the wooden seats from his favorite ballpark-or those of his youth. He may remember when the Brooklyn Dodgers, for example, were still playing at Ebbets Field.

Another collector type gift for the guy who has it all is knives. Not only are they something that guys love to show to their buddies, but they're useful and there are many different kinds. There are hunting knives, pocket knives and knives just for fishing for the guy who loves to fish.

One gift that seems to fit every outdoors-type guy is a good old quality heavy-duty flashlight. There are a variety of flashlights out there so there's one for every guy's needs. A good flashlight is great for emergencies, for traveling and for working on cars.

Cleopatra was renown for her beauty. She seduced Julius Caesar and then Mark Anthony. That alone should be proof that she must have been the most beautiful woman in her time.

Yet British archeologists unearthed silver coins that say otherwise. Her image on those plains were far from the ravishing beauty one expects to see. So why did the two most powerful men in her time fall for her?

Queens

For one thing, she was the queen of Egypt. Then again, her suitors ruled the Roman Empire. They could have had any woman they wanted.

There are several possibilities. Maybe society's perception of beautiful features in those days are different from modern society's view. Look at the 17th century paintings of nude beauties drawn by Ruben. In those days, those women were considered great beauties. Today, women like that would be considered fat and not beautiful by modern standards. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

One thing remains the same through the ages. Beauty is linked to healthy skin. The women in Ruben's paintings had gorgeous skin that glowed. Cleopatra and other egyptian queens are known to follow beauty regimes that focus on giving them beautiful skin. Baths in milk and honey. The use of aloe vera for their skin. All these treatments result in smooth, beautiful skin.

Let's start with milk and honey. Cleopatra is said to have bathed in milk and honey baths. Milk contains lactic acid, a form of alpha hydroxy acid which you would find in today's beauty products. It exfoliates the skin, removing the dead skin cells, causing the younger skin to emerge.

Honey is a humectant. It attracts water which makes it a wonderful moisturizer.

Bathing daily in milk and honey would give you smooth, younger, softer skin. If you have a bath tub, you can indulge in a milk and honey bath yourself.

1. Fill the bath with warm water

2. Add 4 cups of full cream milk powder for a really rich milk bath.

3. Add 1 cup of honey.

4. Wash yourself with soap and water and shampoo and rinse your hair before you enter the bath.

5. Relax and soak in the milk and honey bath for as long as you like.

The other beauty treatment that Cleopatra is said to have used have used aloe vera on her skin. So did Queen Nefertiti.

Aloe vera gel actually heals the skin from eczema or other skin diseases. It even clears the skin from acne, thanks to the sulfur and salicylic acid found in it. Both sulfur and salicylic acid are used topically to treat acne. Aloe vera itself is rich in anti-oxidants which are known for their anti-aging properties. That's not all. It has anti-inflammatory properties, anti-bacterial properties and heals the skin without leaving scars. Using aloe vera topically also leads to clearer, fairer and healthier skin and healthy skin is considered beautiful throughout history.

Are you looking to plan an upcoming event? Have you got a wedding, conference or other function coming up that you need plan and organise? Well here are some tips and ideas to get you started -

• Establish your budget

Banquet Halls

This can get out of hand very quickly and unless you are super rich you will not be able to afford to this. Layout clearly from the beginning how much you have to spend and do not go over this no matter what you do.

• Book everything in advance

To ensure your event runs smoothly start considering all aspects and book in all assets that you require. For example for your event you may require:

• DJ
• Catering
• Waiting staff
• A fully catered bar
• Presentation equipment
• Venue decorations

As you can see event planning is not the easiest job around with all the considerations that need to be made however there is an easier way and that is to give the work to an event planner that will have had experience in putting together a number of different events. From wedding to conferences an event management company should be able to take care of all your needs without any issues. There is the extra cost that you would have to bear with an event management company however this would take care of all issues and ensure nothing goes wrong with your event.

The company you hire will be responsible for everything you agree on and in general they shouldn't have any problems sorting anything for you. For example if you fancy something extravagant like a chocolate fountain or a team of dancers to greet you on your way into the venue then I am sure this is more than possible.

Good luck with you event planning work and hope it all goes well.

Robert's Lounge was a bar saloon owned by James 'Jimmy the Gent' Burke, an associate of the Lucchese Mafia Family. It served as a criminal headquarter from 1957 till early 1979.

This lounge was used as a supermarket for those goods which James Burke and his group used to steal. Robert's Lounge was also a hub for the criminals where they used to plan out different criminal activities. The Lufthansa heist was planned here.

Queens

This saloon was located near Air Cargo Center of John F. Kennedy International Airport and had other hangouts nearby too including the Bargain Auto Junkyard, Don Pepe's Vesuvio Restaurant, Moo Moo Vedda's dress factory and Aqueduct Race Track.

This saloon was first an ordinary bar where blue collar workers used to come. But later on, all these people were driven away when James Burke and other members of the Lucchese Family started coming frequently to this place. Now it became a hangout for the criminals.

Robert's Lounge was notoriously known for his 'graveyard' also. James Burke killed Dominick Cersani in revenge because Cersani had cooperated with Queens District Attorney and helped them in capturing the load of cigarettes which Burke had hijacked. Burke buried him in the backyard of his saloon. Another person was also murdered and then buried in Robert's Lounge; he was Michael 'Spider' Gianco. He was a bartender and also worked as a night manager. Thomas DeSimone murdered him over a minor issue; James Burke made him bury the corpse in the basement of Robert's Lounge. Besides these two people, there were many other victims who were buried in the basement. However none of these bodies were found when FBI carried out a search; reason being that Burke had found out about the search warrant prior to the search being carried out so he displaced the bodies to some other place.

The great Lufthansa Heist was also planned in Robert's Lounge.

Everybody desires to have a unique decoration theme for their wedding reception as well as other ceremonies. Usually People are really fond of grand decorations on their weddings. People, who visit Australia to celebrate their wedding there, can make it truly special and creative by innovative decoration ideas. Your overall decorations should match with the theme. If you tend to follow a theme for the wedding, then you should be prepared with all the items required for the decoration that match with that theme.

There are various points that need to be considered while planning for the decoration of your wedding. The decoration includes table settings, floral choice, venue options, aisle decor, railing decor ideas, bridal bouquets, ring decorations etc. Wedding aisle decoration and railing decoration can add a unique touch to the decoration. It all depends on your budget, how much you wish to spend for the decorations. If you can afford, do plan a railing decoration for making your wedding decorations exclusive and artistic.

Banquet Halls

For an inimitable decoration idea you may take the help of magazines, internet, florists or ideas from the wedding ceremonies of your friends and relatives. This will surely load your mind with great decoration ideas. The most important thing is the venue for your celebrations. All your wedding events must be incorporated in a single reception hall, so that you may have to concentrate on a particular venue and have to spend on the decorations at one place only.

You should make sure that the venue selected by you complements the decoration ideas. After selecting the appropriate location for the wedding, you should start planning various decoration ideas that will suit the place and the surroundings. If you choose the wedding location and the theme for the wedding carefully, you can find a number of innovative decoration ideas without any discomfort.

Whether this is your first time in Brisbane, you've been here before or even if you're a local, here are some of the places we feel visitors must see in Brisbane to gain an insight into Brisbane and its people. Please note that these are in no particular order:

Mt Cooth-tha Summit

Halls In Queens

Take a drive to the top of Mt Coot-tha (7km west of the CBD) where you'll get a spectacular panoramic view of the whole of Brisbane city and surrounds. On a clear day you can see all the way to the distant ranges in the south-west and Moreton Bay to the east. Here you can spend time at the cafe sipping a latte, cool down with a gelato ice-cream or enjoy the famous Summit restaurant on the mountaintop. For a real buzz come here at night and you'll see the city ablaze with lights (very romantic indeed!)

Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens

While you're at Mt Coot-tha Lookout, visit the Botanic Gardens. These 52 hectare gardens contain subtropical and Australian flora in a setting of lakes, ponds and streams. Mt Coot-tha also hosts a planetarium, the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium, a particular favourite of children.

Story Bridge

For the more adventurous, take a two and a half hour climb to the top of Brisbane's iconic Story Bridge. Here you'll experience uninterrupted 360 degree views of Brisbane, its river and surrounding mountains. Dawn climbers will capture the beauty of sunrise over the bay, while dusk climbers will see the setting sun reflected in the glass and steel of the city's high-rise apartment and office buildings. If you happen to be visiting Brisbane on New Year's Eve, one of the things to do on New Years Eve in Brisbane is to head down to Southbank and watch the fireworks explode around the Story Bridge.

Ale House

Take the one hour brewery tour at the Ale House at Milton where you'll get a glimpse into the history of the Castlemaine Perkins brewery and its world-famous beers. Only minutes from Brisbane's CBD, you can experience an entertaining and interactive brewery tour, pick up some souvenirs and sample some ales at the Ale House bar - a true experience. And what could be more Australian than beer!

South Bank

It's hard to imagine Brisbane without South Bank. Just across the river from the CBD, you can enjoy South Bank's sandy beach (Streets Beach), open grassy picnic areas, shops and a plethora of eating spots. Free live entertainment, festivals and fireworks throughout the year add to the vibrancy you'll experience here. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, visit South Bank Art & Craft Market where you'll find crafts by local artisans including fashion, jewellery, homewares, tarot, and even a massage. It's at South Bank where you'll also find Queensland's arts and theatres. Places to visit include the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art. The Queensland Museum Sciencentre is popular with children.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

If you are wanting to experience Australian wildlife without leaving the city, then Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is for you! Hold a koala, feed a kangaroo, hear a talk about our reptiles. You can the RiverCat from the city to Lone Pine for a truly Brisbane experience.

Brisbane River

Many say that Brisbane River defines Brisbane, after all, we're known as the RiverCity! A great way to see Brisbane is to take a ride on the CityCat - a cheap and easy way to get around. Take a cruise up and down the river, stopping where ever you like along the way - South Bank, University of Queensland, New Farm. Another way to see the sights of Brisbane is with an entertaining cruise down the Brisbane River on one of the Kookaburra River Queens.

Brisbane CBD Historic Walking Tour

Brisbane hasn't had a great reputation for preserving its heritage buildings. The drive to modernize the city for economic purposes saw a large number of historic sites torn down in the 1970's and 1980's. There are still a number of them around, particularly in the CBD districts, but a day or two's walking will be enough for you to see most of the really old sites.

Queen Street Mall

In the heart of Brisbane's CBD, Queen Street Mall is a busy half kilometre pedestrian open air thoroughfare including al-fresco shopping and dining. With wide swooping sails to provide necessary shelter from the sun and rain, Queen Street mall draws over 26 million visitors annually. Queen Street Mall is considered to be the largest retail precinct between Sydney and Singapore, and is home to an outstanding choice of high fashion labels, national and international retail chains, independent boutique outlets, jewelry designers, bookstores, shoe shops and more. If you like to people-watch, come here as the mall is a hive of activity. A purpose built performance stage features regular free live entertainment, and buskers never fail to delight passers by with their antics. There are several 24 hour eateries and bars to be found along the mall's central spine for those that want to party on.

City Botanic Gardens

Brisbane's (original) botanic gardens stretch out to the river on three sides where you can walk or cycle your way around to take in the exotic plants that flourish in our sub-tropical climate. An easy and relaxed walk from the CBD, a must do is to take a walk through the mangroves on the boardwalk. If you're here on a Sunday, continue along to Eagle Street pier to browse the many stalls at the Riverside Markets, open every Sunday from 7am.

Fortitude Valley

Fondly known as 'The Valley' it has made a name for itself with locals and visitors alike and continues to be at the forefront of alternative and emerging fashion, music and entertainment. Walk into any main street in the Valley and you're sure to find a selection of trendy locations for drinks, dance or food. Try James Street, Brunswick Street, or Ann Street. There are dozens of venues on offer, each with their own style and atmosphere. Some compare the Valley to Sydney's Oxford Street for nightlife. Take your pick of designer nightclubs and be sure not to miss Family Nightclub, recently awarded Australia's best nightclub. The Valley is also at Brisbane's forefront in live music experiences. A good place to start a visit to The Valley is the Brunswick Street Mall which is lined with cafes, bars and eateries. Right next to Brunswick Street is Ann Street, with many avant garde fashion boutiques which feature cutting-edge and retro designs.

So where to begin? First and foremost, you need to decide whether you are hosting a big get-together or a small intimate gathering. This decision should be based upon what your parents are most accustomed to and what they prefer. If you do not know, do some sneaky investigative work and find out. Secondly, you need to decide whether or not to have a traditional or contemporary anniversary party.

A traditional anniversary party usually adheres to the yearly material used for how long a couple has been married. In this case, the material is silver for 25 wonderful years of marriage. Most, tend to be more formal and are viewed as a second wedding reception. A contemporary wedding anniversary party is usually not as formal and incorporates other themes besides the traditional silver motif.

Banquet Halls

If you are going the traditional route, and have decided to host a large gathering, preparation and planning is a must. First, you need to decide who you are inviting and how many. Next, you need to pick a facility that can accommodate the amount of people anticipated. Although a person's home can be used, most people tend to have parties at banquet or reception halls for easy parking and accessibility.

Creating invitations is where you can let your creativity shine. If you have extra cash, opt for professionally made ones. This will add a touch of elegance and class, and be a great scrapbook memento. Decide whether this is a black tie event or casual, and make sure to include in your invitation that this is a surprise party. You do NOT want to be getting a call from your parents asking how they can help!

Next, you need to decide how you will use your theme of silver in your decorations. There are many resources out there and party planning companies that can assist with these nit-picky details. As a rule of thumb, stick with silver as your primary color for decorating. Accent colors should complement the silver, not detract. For floral arrangements, the flower for the 25th is the iris which is a beautiful touch for center pieces.

Besides the decorating and invitations, food is very important. Depending on your budget you could provide a buffet for everyone, or go the economical route and provide shrimp cocktails and appetizers. Just make sure you have enough for all of your guests! As for dessert, it is nice to have another wedding cake. If your parents had a small wedding cake before, really go all out on this one by having a bigger and better cake.

As an added touch during their party, many prefer to show some sort of memorabilia for their parents, whether this be a slide show, movie, or specially made composite CD that highlights their loving and lasting relationship. It is also nice to find out what song they have danced to at their wedding and have them dance to it once more.

Next is the toast. Since you are hosting the party it is expected of you to give them a warm and heartfelt speech. Once again, spend plenty of time on this to show them how much you have appreciated them throughout the years.

Last but not least, is the gift. Since this is like a second wedding reception, if you can, splurge on getting them a second honeymoon. If you cannot afford it, tactfully include in the invitation that you are trying the help them go on a fabulous second honeymoon and see if you can raise the money. Try to top their first honeymoon and make it one they will never forget! If you are really tapped out, be creative and give them a gift that is related to the theme of silver. This does not necessarily mean jewelry or silverware, you could give them a gift basket filled with various items they would really enjoy. Let it be imaginative and come from the heart.

As for a contemporary or smaller wedding anniversary party, a back-yard barbecue may be completely acceptable. You could also have a themed party, like mardi-gras, disco, costume, and so forth. A themed party may be formal if you choose, but remember to make it classier if you can. Even if you are having a smaller or less formal get-together, a dedication to your parents should still be made to show them your love.

For the surprise element of the party, tell your parents weeks in advance that as a present for their anniversary, you have reserved them a table at some chic restaurant. If
it is not a fancy party you are having, tell them you have tickets to an event like a concert or play. Do not tell them who or what it is so they do not get their hopes up. After all, you want them to be surprised and happier that their having a party not going to see their favorite singer perform!

And as always, there are certain things that should not be done at a party. Although it may be amusing to belabor how long they have been married, it is not appropriate or funny to make your parents feel old. They already know!

No matter what route you end up choosing for a party, make sure it comes from the heart and will be a day they will cherish for the rest of their lives.